What good are polymer coated 220 grain bullets?

will99 · May 9, 2024, 09:39 AM

Tested some of these in handloads in .30-06. Completely missed the target and cardboard backing at 50 yards after shooting 2 bullseyes with 110 grain loads. The accuracy is so bad they're not even good for practice. Why do they sell these things? Boxes of 250 available at Sportsman's Warehouse.

totaldla · May 9, 2024, 09:51 AM

Cheap subsonic fodder for 300 blackout. Bluebullets at ~$.18/EA delivered.

reddog81 · May 9, 2024, 01:17 PM

Going from 110 grain to 220 grain will change POI. They could be more accurate just not hitting the same spot as the lighter bullet.

A 220 grain bullet should work OK in a .30-06 but it is kind of heavy. 200 to 220 is pretty standard in 300 blackout and should get decent groups at 100 yards without issue.

lugerstew · May 9, 2024, 01:32 PM

That might be too fast for a polymer coated bullet, I think I read where 2200fps was max, maybe the poly was starting to melt or bullet was shooting erratically because of the coating.

**Unclenick** · May 9, 2024, 05:28 PM

Yes, you cannot normally use full-power jacketed bullet loads with most commercial cast bullets. Linotype or electrotype alloy with a copper gas check at a minimum, plus special lubes are frequently needed. Something designed for the Blackout won't normally be hard enough to hold up to full load pressure without special effort by both the caster and the handloader.

May 9, 2024, 09:39 AM	#1
will99 Member Join Date: June 13, 2009 Location: western NC Posts: 46	What good are polymer coated 220 grain bullets? Tested some of these in handloads in .30-06. Completely missed the target and cardboard backing at 50 yards after shooting 2 bullseyes with 110 grain loads. The accuracy is so bad they're not even good for practice. Why do they sell these things? Boxes of 250 available at Sportsman's Warehouse.

May 9, 2024, 09:51 AM	#2
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,324	Cheap subsonic fodder for 300 blackout. Bluebullets at ~$.18/EA delivered. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

May 9, 2024, 05:28 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,110	Yes, you cannot normally use full-power jacketed bullet loads with most commercial cast bullets. Linotype or electrotype alloy with a copper gas check at a minimum, plus special lubes are frequently needed. Something designed for the Blackout won't normally be hard enough to hold up to full load pressure without special effort by both the caster and the handloader. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

May 9, 2024, 01:17 PM	#3
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,637	Going from 110 grain to 220 grain will change POI. They could be more accurate just not hitting the same spot as the lighter bullet. A 220 grain bullet should work OK in a .30-06 but it is kind of heavy. 200 to 220 is pretty standard in 300 blackout and should get decent groups at 100 yards without issue.

May 9, 2024, 01:32 PM	#4
lugerstew Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2019 Location: Colorado Posts: 262	That might be too fast for a polymer coated bullet, I think I read where 2200fps was max, maybe the poly was starting to melt or bullet was shooting erratically because of the coating.